Saturday morning was Dad's memorial service. It was so difficult and yet provided some much needed closure for me. The first hour was a calling hour to meet and greet guests. Family friends Rachel and Katherine had also made some beautiful photo and memento displays to look at during that hour. As I looked around at all of the friends and family coming in to support us and be with us on this day, it was simply amazing to me, and it brought me so much comfort. Sherri drove here from Louisville, and it felt so good to give her the much needed hugs that I have been storing up for her! What an amazing friend to spend her day driving to be there for me. ( Thanks to her hubby too for watching the kiddos so she could come! ) Sherri's parents were also with her. Also my good friends Kristin and Cherie, Angie and Rhonda, and Pastor Darryl and Judi took away from their weekends to celebrate Dad's life with me. My Aunt Paula came from Ashland and came to the service with my mom, and then came to our house to stay with me Saturday night. Thanks, Aunt Paula! All of my in-laws were ther as well. My inlaw's are awesome and I have had folks ask me to trade my inlaws to them, and I could have theirs in return, no way!!! The biggest surprise to me was when I saw a familiar face looking at me, and I discover it is my friend Kelly from high school, who I haven't seen in 20 years! And my friends Kim and her husband Jim, who I have only seen a few times since school as well! Talk about blown away!!! I looked around and saw the friends that I have had for 20 years, and then the friends that I haven't seen for 20 years. It was as if my past and present came together in the same room. Wow, you all know how to make a girl feel special!
The service was a real tear jerker for me. As me, Jenny and Ellie walked into the sanctuary, the bagpiper started to play, and my waterworks turned on. It was the reality of the entire moment really hitting me full force. Aaron was such a young man and such a support to me. He held my hand through most of the service and would hand me tissues. He is my doll! Greg did 2 scripture readings, and family friend Martin Hunter and Dad's best friend Jim Webb did the eulogy. Both men described the life of my Dad beautifully and from the heart. What blessings they have both been to my Dad and to the rest of us as well. The service ended with Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. Just the way Dad would have wanted it to be. After the service we had a reception at Ellie's house. I was able to spend time talking with my Aunt Margaret, cousins Sandy and Howard, Pat, Penny and Sheri and their kids. The food was lovely and it was a good time to reconnect with my family that means so much.
It is time for the healing and recovery to begin. It is going to be such a grueling process, but the Lord will carry me through. Please keep me and my family in your prayers as we look to redefine our family without our most precious Dad.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I thought about you as I went about my nursing duties. It was a beautiful day here & was hoping it was the same there. All of your friends that showed up unexpectedly to give you their love & support was God's gift to you to see you through this part of your life. Your father was a lucky man to have you as his daughter. God Bless.
ReplyDelete